Chapter 4: What Is Mathematics About Anyway?

Curiosity about what students who had taken mathematics for ten or more years were thinking about the subject led me to ask a question one day during class. “If mathematics were a sport what would it be and why?” or “if mathematics were a musical instrument what would it be and why?” Why this question? I had heard it phrased in this way at a recent accreditation seminar and thought the students, most of whom were involved in sports or music, might find the comparison intriguing. Certainly I knew I would.

The students wrote for 20 minutes. While some struggled, others wanted to keep writing. They had much on their minds. I took the write-ups home that evening and read through them with excitement. The next day I shared two or three with the class and asked the students if they would be willing to take some time to revise their write-ups so that they could be shared with my mathematical colleagues. They did not even ask if they would receive a mark for their efforts. I was delighted by their response and have been given written permission to share them with you. Here are some of the most creative. I hope you enjoy reading them.